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Task:
Discuss the narrative perspective. How does the narration affect the reader’s experience?

Guidance:

The story is told from Vee’s point of view — how does this influence what we know and feel?

Consider how the narration creates intimacy and allows access to Vee’s private thoughts and emotions.

Are there moments of exaggeration or self-doubt that make the narrator seem unreliable or highly emotional?

What effect does this perspective have on the suspense and emotional tension?

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Worksheet

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Task:
Analyze the character of Vee. What do we learn about her personality, emotions, and motivations?

Guidance:

Look at Vee’s thoughts, reactions, and inner conflicts.

Identify quotes that reflect her insecurities and desire to step out of her comfort zone (e.g., being “the girl behind the curtain”).

How does she interact with other characters (Matthew, Tommy, Sydney)?

Note her reasons for doing the dare — how does she want to prove something to herself or others?

3. Characterization of Tommy

Task:
Describe Tommy’s role in the excerpt. What do his actions and reactions reveal about his personality?

Guidance:

Observe how he supports Vee, even though he’s hesitant.

Note his body language and dialogue (e.g., blushing, concern for privacy).

How does Tommy contrast with Matthew in terms of attitude and values?

What does his presence say about friendship and loyalty?

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Task:
Summarize the key events of the excerpt and explain how they build tension and prepare the reader for the rest of the novel.

Guidance:

Divide the text into main sections:
a) Backstage at the theater
b) Discovery of the game NERVE
c) The dare in the coffee shop

Track how the plot escalates — what changes from beginning to end?

Identify moments that increase suspense (e.g., time pressure, fear, conflict).

Consider how the ending raises questions and encourages further reading.

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• Uses "I" to tell the story (l. 84, 89, 98, 103)
• Narrator is part of the story and involved in the events
• We only know the thoughts and feelings of the narrator (l. 98, 100)
• The story feels personal and emotional (l. 89–95)
• The perspective helps the reader connect with the main character

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Task: Examine the stylistic devices that are used to dramatize the action in part 5 and 6. Explain their function and effect.

Guidance:

Pay particular attention to:

specific verbs and phrases

Repetitions

Questions

Numbers

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she runs out of the coffee store in embarrassment and disbelief

at home she feels humiliated and rethinks her decision and plans on quitting

she feels down until she gets a call from Tommy where he tells her she is going viral

in disbelief Vee checks out her account and sees that it’s true

Sudden happiness and relief hits her, when she sees all the hyping comments

all thoughts of quitting are gone as she searches for a new dare

I run out of the coffee shop, my face burning with embarrassment and disbelief. How could I have let it get that far? At home, I throw myself onto my bed, humiliated. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I should just quit.

I am still lost in my thoughts when my phone suddenly lights up. It is Tommy.

“Vee, you need to check your account. Right now,” he says, his voice full of excitement.

“What? Why?” I ask, still feeling defeated.

“You’re going viral. I’m serious.”

I sit up, heart racing, and open the app. My jaw dropps. He is right. Thousands of comments, likes, and shares. People are freaking out over what I did.

A wave of relief hits me, followed by something I didn’t expect, excitement. The comments are full of hype, support, and people begging for more.

In that moment, all thoughts of quitting disappear. I can’t stop now. I start scrolling through the dares again, ready for whatever comes next.

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Many teenagers, and even children like Antonella, are attracted to presenting themselves on social media platform doing certain challenges or dares.

Formulate a statement in which you explain the risks of these challenges and need for an inceased protection of your peolple on social media

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Task:

After Vee‘s first dare at the coffe shop….

Write a continuation of the excerpt and think about what the protagonists might experience next.

Guidance:

brainstorm ideas what could happen next

Think about possible complications

Follow the structural pattern of the scene!!

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Task:
Analyze how the author creates mood and atmosphere in the coffee shop scene.

Guidance:

Focus on descriptive language showing Vee’s anxiety (e.g., “tunnel vision,” “leaden legs,” “pounding heart”).

Identify sensory descriptions — what does she see, smell, feel?

How do the reactions of others (the barista, the snapping guy, Tommy) intensify the embarrassment and fear?

How does this mood contribute to the theme of public pressure and personal risk?

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Vee is introduced as someone who hides in the background “I’m the girl behind the curtain. Literally” (l.1). She feels overshadowed by others, especially her best friend Sydney (l.18–21), and craves attention and recognition. Vee struggles with insecurity but also wants to change, shown when she debates joining the NERVE game (l.128–129). Her motivation is clear: “Obviously, I’m doing this to prove something” (l.155), revealing a desire to step out of her comfort zone.

Her interactions reflect this conflict. With Matthew, she experiences flirtation mixed with discomfort. He teases her about her body (l.34–36), grabs her phone (l.41), and updates her status without permission (l.78), showing a lack of respect. In contrast, Tommy is caring and supportive. He asks if she’s okay (l.82), downplays his own efforts (l.93), and hesitates but agrees to help her film the dare (l.137–145), showing genuine friendship and loyalty.

Tommy’s personality is modest and kind. He values privacy (l.99), blushes when asked to join the dare (l.132), and worries about the consequences (l.134–135). Still, he supports Vee, which highlights his loyalty and quiet strength.

During the dare, Vee is nervous“My heart races... Every molecule in my body wants to run” (l.173–175)but pushes through. The humiliation afterward, when she realizes her shirt is see-through (l.221–224), doesn’t erase the fact that she acted bravely. Her journey shows someone insecure but determined to change and be seen. Tommy’s presence contrasts Matthew’s, reinforcing themes of real friendship and courage.

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Task:
Describe the different settings and analyze their role in the story.

Guidance:

Identify the main settings: backstage at the school theater, the hallway, the coffee shop.

How does each location reflect Vee’s state of mind or her transformation?

Look at how details (e.g., lighting, crowd, sounds, smells) add realism and tension.

What symbolic meaning might the coffee shop scene have in terms of exposure or risk?

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The scene is set backstage at a high school theater production (ll-80-82). Vee, the main charakter and tommy, the technician are behind the stage (ll.89-91). Vee feels safe there, but also invisible. She works behind the scenes while others are in the spotlight (ll.95-96). This setting underlines her inner conflict: stay safe and hidden, or take a risk and be seen (ll.105-107). Being backstage feels very different from being on stage. Backstage is quiet, private, and controlled. On stage, you are seen, judged, and under pressure. Vee stands between these two worlds.